Ghosts of No Child Left Behind politically situates curriculum within a historically and
critically informed context to understand the structural forces that have contributed to the
creation of a population of adolescents who read below a third grade level. The book then
proposes a reconceptualization of literacy curriculum within a critical discourse to facilitate
self-actualizing pedagogy for non-reading adolescents - some of whom are incarcerated. Rooted
in a complex understanding of teaching learning and knowledge this book presents information
to policymakers administrators and educators that is vital to improving literacy instruction
curriculum and policy. The information presented here can also inform the general public
especially parents so that they may advocate for an educational infrastructure that promotes
empowering literacy development for every student including non-reading adolescents and
younger struggling readers. This book is an unparalleled resource for teacher education courses
focusing on literacy critical pedagogy policy bilingual education special education and
issues in urban education.
